I asked, panting because of the swift pace which my
comrade had kept. "Are you counting on taking part in the battle?" for
then it was I had no doubt but that our people had set about measuring
strength with my Lord Cornwallis's army.

"Yes, we'll fight a battle on our own account, and the result shall be
the release of Saul from the guard-house. I'm allowing that the sentries
are not giving any great attention to prisoners just at this moment, and
if those who should be outside the prison have pressed toward the front
to see what may be going on, our chance has come."

It did not need that the dear lad should go into the details of what he
would do. I realized on the instant that even though we were within the
enemy's encampment, there was a possibility we might work our will, and
no time was wasted.

It was reasonable to suppose that the sentries here, there and
everywhere throughout the village would be pressing toward the front
from motives of curiosity, if nothing else, feeling thoroughly well
convinced that no harm could come upon them from the rear.

Fortune so far favored me as we run that I was speedily armed with an
axe which had been left near by a pile of fuel, and before we had
traveled twenty yards further Pierre came upon a pick. Therefore it was
we had all the weapons we needed for an attack upon the guard-house, if
so be little Frenchie had the same aim in mind which had come to me,
that is to say, to force an entrance through the chimney into the
fireplace.

Then we were come to that house in which the Jerseyman had told me our
comrade was confined, and I, thick-headed as usual, would have begun an
attack upon the chimney without delay, for we had approached the
building from the rear; but before I could strike the first blow little
Frenchie grasped me by the arm, as he whispered warningly:

"Would you take the risk of spoiling everything by going to work
blindly? We must first learn if there be sentries on the other side."

Then, leaving me standing motionless and silent, covered with confusion
because of having shown myself such a simple, he went cautiously around
the house, moving with as much care and deliberation as if having full
knowledge that a squad or more of red-coats were on guard, and I awaited
his return, my heart thumping so violently that it was as if the
pulsations vied in volume of sound with the reports of the cannon.

When next I saw Pierre he approached from the opposite s